Jay's Journey

Chapter 1

"Jay! There's a letter for you from Maple Hills Academy." My mom called up from the kitchen where she had just returned from getting the mail.
"Coming!"  I smile brightly as I scurry down the steps of our small townhouse.

My mom was standing beside the kitchen counter, holding out the white envelope with the burgundy and grey seal of the school holding the flap down. I laugh at her stance, before grabbing the paper and unfolding what's inside.

"Well?" She asks expectantly.
"They accepted me." I whisper.
"Of course they did, Jay! I'm so proud of you."

I hug my mom and start to laugh before pulling back and telling her I wanted to start packing already.

She sends me off with a smile and a flick of her hand.

I scramble up the steps towards my room, stopping when I pass her room. I hesitate to open her bedroom door, but desire against it. This is something to celebrate and I already feel my mood dipping again, so I continue towards my room to pull out my suitcases.

Maple Hills Academy is a boarding school in California. They have one of the best equestrian programs in the US, and I had been accepted for a try at their scholarship program. The system will run through the application questionnaire and will select fifty riders to come and compete against one another for a one year scholarship to their school.  I had been offered a spot to tryout, and I wasn't going to give it up for anything.

After two hours of packing, my mom knocks on my bedroom door and walk in.

I always thought that my mom was beautiful and felt annoyed that I didn't get any of her looks. She has bright blue eyes and straight light brown hair that just brushes her shoulders. Her cheekbones were prominent enough to to bring attention to her eyes. I was given dark chocolate brown eyes and the same colour hair with heavy waves all throughout, though my hair also reaches my armpits too.

"How's this packing frenzy going?" She kneels down on the carpet beside me.
"Well. I'm just about done. I just have to fill the rest of this with a few breeches and I'll be ready." I show her my progress.
"We're going to miss you Jay. Especially your brother."
"I know. And I'll miss you guys too, but I have to do this mum. If I finish in the top ten, I might get a scholarship offer for an equally good university where I'll still be able to ride."
"That's right. I always forget how fast you grew up. It always feels like yesterday when you almost-" she covers her mouth with her hand to stop her quiet sob.
"It's okay." I put my hand on her shoulder, "I'm 17 now and I was stupid then. I know better."
She smiles sadly and stands up, brushing her pants of imaginary dust, "I see you downstairs for dinner in half an hour."

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"I'm happy for you, Jay. You can win that thing, no problem." My brother, Brett, says to me from across the dinner table.
"Well I don't know about that." I mutter before shoving more chicken in my mouth.
"Of course you can! You've been riding for long enough to know more than most people." My dad points his fork at me.
My mom rolls her eyes, "Leave the poor girl alone. She leaves tomorrow so we'll know how she does soon."
"Thanks."
"I hope you win. The house will be nice and quiet without you to blare your music." My brother smirks.
I punch him hard, "You're way worse than me!"
"Yea yea whatever you say. " he laughs, leaning over and messing up my hair.
"Jay I want you to try your best and not to worry about what will happen if you do win. We'll all support you no matter where you finish in the end." My mom smiles brightly at me.
"Don't worry mum, I won't go down easy."

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